Jump to: Room choices | Hotel description | Map | Amenities | Reviews
On a 75-acre verdant peninsula where architecture and topography seamlessly blend, the five luxury villas of Eagle's Nest offer five interpretations of luxury. On one end, the Fire Light Temple is an intimate honeymoon retreat with an open-air bedroom and glass shower overlooking the cerulean waters below. Meanwhile, at the award-winning Rahimoana, 44 acres of private land include its own beach, a helipad and a modernist villa architects say is destined for Frank Lloyd Wright-like icon status.
Eagle's Nest
60 Tapeka Road
Russell
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
0242
Nearest Airport: WRE
We have been staying at Eagles Nest several times in the past, but after a lengthy break, returning in 2026 felt like a genuine trip down memory lane. The greatest compliment we can give is this: none of the good stuff has changed – and yet they’ve still managed to make it even better. Back then, we described Eagles Nest as somewhere between seven stars and heaven – and that still holds true. The privacy, tranquillity, and level of service remain exceptional, and once again we found ourselves already talking about when we might come back next. Just as before, Eagles Nest proved the perfect base for exploring the northern tip of New Zealand without the constant unpacking and repacking. That balance between feeling immersed in the region while having a luxurious “home” to return to is still one of its greatest strengths. What impressed us most was the continuity of care. From the moment of booking, it was clear that Eagles Nest still remembers its guests—including details like food preferences and allergies. Arrival was just as seamless as we remembered, complete with a warm welcome and perfectly chilled champagne, timed to the ferry crossing as if no time at all had passed since our last visit. We once again stayed in the Eyrie Villa, and it remains outstanding: beautifully appointed bedrooms with ensuites, a generous open‑plan living space, and a deck with pool and spa that is dangerously hard to leave. The décor feels timeless rather than dated—elegant, modern, and sophisticated—while discreet upgrades mean the villa is now even more comfortable and intuitive to live in. The self‑service model still works brilliantly. The champagne is still good and chilled on arrival, and the complimentary breakfast provisions continue to be curated with real food lovers in mind—now with an expanded offering. The focus on regional products remains, and we were delighted to see that additional items, such as the wine selection, now also have a strong New Zealand focus—even if they are from Marlborough… What has clearly improved even further is on‑site communication. The WhatsApp group works beautifully: prompt, friendly, and effective. Whether it was a simple “no matter what, I can’t find the plunger” moment or a more substantive request, we received a response in no time at all. Housekeeping works around you, not the other way around with service times agreed in the Whatsapp group, and nothing ever feels intrusive or hurried. It’s a small touch, but one that makes living there feel completely effortless. Coming back after so many years could have been risky—memories often outshine reality. In this case, Eagles Nest delivered on every single one, and then some. If you want the celebrity treatment without being a celebrity, this is still very much the way to go. And if you’re returning after a long time away, you may find—as we did—that Eagles Nest hasn’t just stood still. It has grown quietly better, without ever losing its soul.
TSkippy - Melbourne
We stayed for 3 nights, family of 4 - absolutely incredible! Gorgeous villa accommodation, stunning views, super helpful staff, pick ups/drop offs into town were handy, villa food and drink provisions great. Would definitely go back!
Caroline B
Being a business owner most of my life i never usually give anything or anyone a 10/10 as there is always room for improvement . However our stay at Eagles Next is an exception. It was superb in every way from cleanliness, appointments to the self catering for breakfast each day. The care of Ileen and Lauren was perfect and the whole property a credit to the team - the only possible complaint - and it is not a complaint really - is that some of the trees on the drive opposite Sacred be topped to give a bigger view from the beautiful upstairs bedroom suite - (not the kauri)_ The environment is serene and the whole area presented beautifully. thank you Adam, Ileen and Lauren for a perfect birthday few days.
Voyager31527191634
Our second visit and one of our favourite places to stay in NZ. beautiful accommodation, very private, friendly and professional staff.
hazel c - Leyburn, United Kingdom
Eagles Nest is simply fabulous. We’ve been lucky enough to stay twice now, and we’re already counting down to going back again next year. Lauren, Adam, and the entire team truly go above and beyond to make the whole experience completely stress-free and effortless. From start to finish, everything is seamless, thoughtful, and designed so you can just relax and enjoy the holiday. It’s one of those rare places that exceeds expectations every time. Highly recommend — we’ll definitely be back!
Simone L
Read more reviews or write a review
© 2026 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved